Sustainable Prosperity

A society where the average family can no longer afford to run a car except on special occasions? An economy where we queue to purchase some of the goods we currently buy without restriction? With the consequences of 'peak oil' - and no government plans for a response - such scenarios could be a mere ten years away... Read more.

We can meet our international obligations and move towards achieving environmentally sustainable population levels by substantially reducing the numbers entering Australia through our business migration scheme and doubling the numbers in our humanitarian intake ... Read more.

We support a non-discriminatory immigration program that gives priority to refugees and family reunion applicants. We oppose mandatory detention and all legislation to repel asylum seekers on the high seas. Australia has a moral responsibility and a duty under international law, to provide haven for refugees and not send people ... Read more.

A substantial, progressive reduction to well below current levels in fossil fuel dependence and greenhouse gas emissions from all sources and across all sectors. The strategic removal of direct and indirect public subsidies to unsustainable and dirty energy production and supply... Read more.

You may have read conflicting statements about the governance of the Australian Democrats.

What's wrong with the Refugee Convention?

By Sandra Kanck

An examination of the Refugee Convention shows that there simply are no queues.

April 30, 2014

Last year, when former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, said he wanted the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees modernised, it was in the midst of his government offloading responsibilities under that convention. The consequence was that many caring Australians simply dismissed what he had to say as a cynical ploy to justify the tough offshore processing regime his party was implementing against asylum seekers who had arrived by boat.

So is there anything wrong with the Refugee Convention? Is there a need to modernise it? Well, a close look at the Convention shows that this 1951 document is out-of-date in many ways, although its lack of currency should not be an excuse for Australia to further jeopardise the lives of people seeking refuge here. Read more. Leave a comment.

Our Federal Action Plans for 2015

A substantial, progressive reduction to well below current levels in fossil fuel dependence and greenhouse gas emissions from all sources and across all sectors. The strategic removal of direct and indirect public subsidies to unsustainable and dirty energy production and supply... Read more.

Reforming Australia’s transport spending. The Australian Democrats advocate reforming transport spending to reduce use of fossil fuels, decrease pollution and minimise land use while providing fast and efficient transport... Read more.

A sustainable population for Australia. The Australian democrats policy is to avoid Australia's population getting to an unsustainable level. At the same time we seek to fulfil our international and moral obligations to asylum seekers fleeing persecution elsewhere... Read more.

Progressive and environmental tax reform. The Australian Democrats advocate shifting taxation from ordinary workers to polluters and commercial land holders. At the same time we seek to simplify taxation by trading the many loopholes and rebates for a lower overall tax rate... Read more.

The Australian Democrats advocate reforming taxation to make the polluters pay and at the same time shifting spending away from fossil fuel subsidies and towards renewable energy. Strong action is also needed to expand environmental protection and cut back on waste... Read more.

Increasing foreign aid to 0.7% of gdp. Australia has failed to meet its un obligations on foreign aid and recently further cut aid in the latest budget. Worse, much of the aid budget is actually used for non-aid purposes such as boosting livestock export and persecuting asylum seekers... Read more.

POLITICAL PARTIES AND DONATIONS: Donations with strings attached and foreign donations banned and full disclosure of third party (clubs, trusts, etc.) donations. A financial cap on all electoral and campaign funding, per political party and per candidate... Read more.

Animals are sentient beings, deserving of respect and protection from inhumane treatment. They have a worth beyond their usefulness to humans. We should not allow base instincts or material gain to dictate our treatment of them... Read more.

A 'whole of life' approach is crucial to the arts, strengthening artists' legal rights, ensuring they receive royalties for the use of
their work over time and broadening funding and employment opportunities. Indigenous art enjoys wide... Read more.

Australia must support the United Nations, as the key forum for international cooperation, in its role of promoting peace
and security and will be bound by the United Nations charter. The Democrats are committed to Australia acting diplomatically... Read more.

Welcome to the official national website of the Australian Democrats.

National President, Darren Churchill

The Australian Democrats are a small political party, which seeks to bring about a fairer, sustainable Australia by balancing a "Triple Bottom Line" of social justice, the environment and the economy. We are the only political party in which all members have an equal say in determining our policies through policy ballots.

For almost 31 years from 1977 to 2008, we had Democrats Senators in the Australian Parliament and representatives in the South Australian, Tasmanian, NSW, Western Australian and ACT parliaments and often held the balance of power, which one of our best known founders, Don Chipp, referred to as a "balance of reason," using our influence to deliver fair outcomes in legislation. We are working to reclaim that position. Read more.

Australian Democrats National Journal

A society where the average family can no longer afford to run a car except on special occasions? An economy where we queue to purchase some of the goods we currently buy without restriction? With the consequences of 'peak oil' - and no government plans for a response - such scenarios could be a mere ten years away ... Read more.

We can meet our international obligations and move towards achieving environmentally sustainable population levels by substantially reducing the numbers entering Australia through our business migration scheme and doubling the numbers in our humanitarian intake ... Read more.

We support a non-discriminatory immigration program that gives priority to refugees and family reunion applicants. We oppose mandatory detention and all legislation to repel asylum seekers on the high seas. Australia has a moral responsibility and a duty under international law, to provide haven for refugees and not send people ... Read more.

The Australian Democrats are committed to ensuring fairness, equality and tolerance in our society and so the insidious rise of bullying must come under the microscope. Former Australian Democrats Parliamentary Leader, Lyn Allison, negotiated a National Safe Schools Framework which can in part address the issue ... Read more.

Do you want a fair go for everyone?

If you believe Australia needs a genuinely independent political force at all levels of government advocating for solutions based on compassion, fairness, justice and equality, join us. You can make a difference.